Matthew Whitaker Says He Has Not Interfered in the Mueller Investigation

Feb 08, 2019 · 111 comments
nurse Jacki (ct.USA)
By now we all must notice at hearings of trump White House appointees They come out of the gait oppositional , and in attack and insult mode They give off topic ,time consuming circular responses ,and then sit silently as republicans compliment them and demean their fellow reps on the other side Nadler was not the right chair !!! By now Mueller has enough to get the coup that took over America We need him to publicly speak to power now The American people are done with shutdowns and harassment
William (Massachusetts)
His attitude define itself so why should he be believed?
Geraldine Mitchell (London)
“I do not believe that I have briefed third-party individuals outside of the Department of Justice,” "I do not believe" - you know definitely if you briefed?? - also " I am usually the endpoint of that information." Usually? These sound like weasel words he may in the long term regret as being not as clever as he thought.
MoneyRules (New Jersey)
Matt -- lying to Congress is a Federal Crime that will land you in the Big House. Oh, did they not teach out that in Trump University?
Pat (Colorado Springs)
Whittaker just blankly stared into the camera several times, before refusing to answer the questions. Oh yes, he was very believable.
A Nobody (Nowhere)
Sarah Palin was the tell. She was the first to stand on the big stage of Republican national politics while over and over performing a single bizarre act: unbridled self-adoration during public displays of ignorance and arrogance. Trump's one-trick act is the same, as is Whitaker's. Republicans all. And all good reasons never again to vote for any Republican at any level of government, from dog catcher to president. The party is way, way off the rails.
Doremus Jessup (On the move)
It is going to be very interesting to see what rewards Matthew Whitaker gleans, from Donald Trump, in payback for his performance before the committee. This clueless stooge put on a predictable show of arrogance, ignorance and defiance. He is a disgrace to the DOJ and the country. Whitaker is just another example of the low level of competence required of people infesting the Trump Administration.
Peter Olsson MD (Hampton,NH)
Much of the questioning of Whitaker by Democrats was narrow, petty, disrespectful and politically posturing that drowned out valid questioning.
Steven of the Rockies ( Colorado)
Matthew G. Whitaker, the acting attorney general, has no respect for Congress. Matthew does not believe that the Supreme court has any authority over the Oval Office occupants. Matthew was trying out for the role of deputy Attorney general today. Matthew Whitaker is on Santa Clause's naughty list for committing felonies and fraud.
Bull (Terrier)
Go ahead politicians - you go and lull the general populous to sleep with your sham inquiries. When we finally do awaken, we won't recognize each other. Scary times for you future people here.
alinsydney (Sydney)
Nadler’s response to the comment about the 5 minutes should have been “ perhaps, but your 15 minutes definitely is”* *Think Warhol
tony barone (parsippany nj)
The extreme hypocrisy of those Republicans that even showed up for the hearings was stunning. As if they hadn't stunted oversight for two years in reckless defense of trump and all his baggage.
Rob C (iowa)
can we indict all republicans (mcconnel, etc) for obstruction of justice? they are just as guilty as everyone else trying to cover this mess up.
Patriot (NJ)
But he will, if asked
Jesse (<br/>)
What bothered me most, was the way he reacted to being asked about separated children at the border. He showed no compassion, no remorse, he just sat there with an expressionless face. He had no idea how many children were still separated, loose and in whose possession they were in. Just said it was someone else's problem, Homeland Security. What a chump. No concern for the damage done to the innocents of the world. Just a reflection of the administration he is a part of. SAD.
Jack (London)
New Host of the Gong Show “ Matthew G. Whitaker “
Ponsobny Britt (Frostbite Falls, MN.)
This can pretty much be summed up in five words: Whittaker is just another stooge.
db2 (Phila)
Who was there to help him with his flop sweat?
rn (nyc)
can we trust this individual.. seems so biased and a trump lover ??? how come most 'trump people' lie ..... almost as a daily requirement... I don't trust anything related to trump
Edyee (Maine)
I watched the entire hearing. Whitaker mocked Congressional oversight and Mr. Nadler when he told Nadler that his 5 mins were up. Whitaker's chutzpah was gobsmacking! Whitaker's cynical answers seemed to play to an audience of 1. The most revealing question was the last one where Whitaker admits to knowledge of pardons being considered. Hopefully, NYT will break more news on those pardons soon.
alank (Wescosville, PA)
Whitaker presents himself as a low rent, bottom feeder. Totally classless person. Which are precisely the qualifications Trump seeks in his staff.
Pat (Colorado Springs)
I do not believe one word this man said. I know when people are lying. I lie easily myself. Wow, that dress looks great! (No, you look like a mammoth in it.} He was easily and happily lying.
SLBvt (Vt)
Whitaker clearly was auditioning for Michael Cohen's old job. Just saying.
John (LINY)
Maybe he’s trying to earn the right to use one of those toilets he was trying to sell.
jdawg (austin)
Unbelievable reporting, normalization.
Jax (Providence)
Congressman Cicilline’s questioning of him is pure gold. The smack downs of all smack downs. Thank you David. We in the Ocean State are brimming with pride.
jhanzel (Glenview)
He seemed clumsy and arrogant and not really suited for the position. Which means he was a supreme choice by Trump's standards. But honestly, he did sound to be reasonably honest about any direct involvement with Trump or the investigation. Most of Trump's liars have been a lot more polished.
Nancy Braus (Putney. VT)
I found it astounding that, under questioning, Whitaker stated that there was no policy of family separation. This is just a day after his own administration announced that there were thousands more stolen children than previously acknowledged, and that it was too expensive to reunite these traumatized children with their families. So many lies, every day in every way.
polymath (British Columbia)
I seem to recall his preferring not to deny some kind of criminal activity he was asked about. I'd like to see a full list of major crime categories that he would prefer not to deny.
George N. Wells (Dover, NJ)
Another "Made for TV Investigation." Representatives flexing their power and Whitaker playing the guy who owns the room, or at least thinks he does. Did this accomplish anything other than taking up a bunch of time perhaps better spent on other matters? Whitaker has shown that he, like Trump doesn't answer to anyone. He knows exactly where the boundaries are and pushed hard against them. He likes the fight. This, however, was just a warm-up round for Democrats who have not controlled these committees for a long time. They are sending a signal that there will be more, a lot more, to come. The missed moment, in my opinion, was when the Chair failed to cite Whitaker for Contempt of Congress for his flippant telling the Chair that his time had expired. To be sure if he had, Whitaker would have stormed out and the show would have been over, but a message would have been sent. Fortunately, to use a metaphor familiar to Whitaker, this was only a scrimmage, not the actual game. Pretty soon the whistle will sound and it will be "Game On." Unfortunately government has become theatre and I have the sense that Becket is writing the script.
Matthew (Berryman)
This article title is a little misleading. AG Matthew Whitaker stonewalled at every opportunity, used jokes to eat up his demand for 5 minute questioning rounds and refused to answer key questions. The importance of the questions he refused to answer can not be overstated. He should be issued a subpoena and compelled to testify (and or forced to take the 5th amendment to show his truly criminal nature).
Talbot (New York)
Whitaker is the acting AG. He's going to be gone in a week. He said he did nothing to interfere with the Mueller investigation and there is no evidence he did anything to hinder its activities. So why this obsession over him?
LiliBet (NY)
@Talbot. The concern is that Whitaker was installed as Acting AG (which did not require Senate vetting or approval) not just to impede the investigation, but in order to feedback to Trump & Co what Mueller were doing. His public statements sharing his opinions on the investigation were like an audition. He has an unremarkable legal background and has been under investigation himself for defrauding people. These things made him suspect to many people who view him as a lackey whose job was to spy on SCO and brief the president.
Neil (Texas)
I am not sure about this outrage expressed below about acting AG testimony. Why have these hearings - especially when he is under oath - if you don't believe anything he says. I wish we would go back to the days when Congress decided whether the witness spoke the truth. They have ample ways including referring a witness to the Justice Dept. And I am perplexed about this story where the AG is doubted because there was a CNN story to the contrary. CNN was not subpoena'ed nor were they under oath. I would rather take his testimony as a fact - because he was confirmed by the Senate for a high level position from which he has been elevated to this current position. We need to put faith in our processes. This type of attitude is not dissimilar to Madame Speaker telling DHS secretary that she does not want to listen to "her facts."
In the north woods (wi)
@Neil...."I would rather take his testimony as a fact - because he was confirmed by the Senate for a high level position from which he has been elevated to this current position" That's part of the problem, he has NOT been confirmed by the Senate for his current position
Pat (Colorado Springs)
@Neil He was not confirmed, nor appointed by the Senate.
Michael Day (Florida)
@Neil He was confirmed by the Senate in 2004 as a US attorney.
Jane (Clarks Summit)
I was unable to watch the hearing, but after reading multiple reports about it and watching key excerpts on the news, I was struck by Whitaker’s disingenuous responses, refusals to answer (claiming executive privilege he is not entitled to), and disrespect of the committee chair. It was almost as if Whitaker had been coached by the same persons who had prepared Kavanaugh for his hearing. The arrogance is appalling. I can only hope the committee will subpoena Whitaker and compel him to come clean.
Johan Debont (Los Angeles)
If a good detective would have looked at Whitaker’s face during the House Democratic interview, he or she would have said that the man clearly lied many times during the interview. And of course Whitaker talked to Trump before, just like the President secretly talked to all his gang members before they were summoned and told them to lie with confidence as he would always be there for them later. How short is their memory, Trump is the first one to throw them under the bus, or in Trumps case in jail, when there is chance that any blame will fall on him.
Andrew Bermant (Santa Barbara)
“I do not believe that I have briefed third-party individuals outside of the Department of Justice,” Mr. Whitaker said. “I have received the briefings myself, and I’m usually the endpoint of that information.” These words clearly do not deny either briefing Trump (who effectively is the head of the DOJ) or Trump’s surrogates. The fact that Mr. Whitaker is “usually the endpoint” means that he has not, in fact, been the endpoint of that information on more than one occasion. Whitaker’s verbal somersaults to protect against his perjurious testimony belie the conspiratorial confluence between Whitaker and Trump.
michjas (Phoenix )
This newspaper and all its starred comments heavily criticized Whitaker’s refusal to be subpoenaed. I noted that I was a criminal attorney and that the subpoena didn’t matter because the committee, if dissatisfied, could always issue a subsequent subpoena. As I explained, the committee is now considering that subsequent subpoena. And my reaction is that journalists and members of the general public have little understanding of criminal procedure. Such procedure is technical and is well understood only by those with technical training. I do not pretend to understand the arcane aspects of the ethics of journalism. And I believe it is harmful when journalists pretend to understand the arcane aspects of criminal law.
Esteban S. (Bend, OR)
I am so glad that hearings like these are broadcast. It shows just how biased and irrelevant the Representatives are. I watched for about an hour and every question was prefaced by either an attack on the man, or an attempt to make him somehow responsible was stuff done by Trump or someone at the bottom of his chain of command. And then, the Reps would demand that he give yes/no answers to complex questions. Classic 'gotcha' process. It just kind of makes me sad to see the kind of people we have in our government.
Glenn Thomas (Edison, NJ)
What has Whitaker got to hide? Plenty!
Kathy (Chapel Hill)
I am losing confidence in military physicians, who decades ago could be counted on for good care and honesty. The notion that Trump is that healthy is absurd. He is overweight, weirdly colored with this strange suntan, cannot speak coherent sentences, cannot concentrate long enough to read or listen to briefings , is remarkably thin-skinned in situations where he could ignore criticism, and otherwise shows an inability to think clearly, absorb information, weigh alternatives, and otherwise function the way most Americans (and certainly Presidents) can be expected to behave. Why are these physicians ignoring mental health issues or what to many observers (including physicians) think is a incipient (or even progressive) dementia?? Dereliction of duty, not to the President but to the American public.
Paul Wertz (Eugene, OR)
Whitaker's history and his very presence as a temp help attorney general provide further evidence--as if we needed any more--of how the trump administration has induced political gangrene within the government of the United States. And when the gangrene is as advanced as it is now under trump, isn't there only one response?
Frank (Colorado)
Whitaker appeared to be a typical Trump appointee: Not Ready for Prime Time, Often Ready but Never Unsure, out of his depth and ill-equipped for his job. As Hakeem Jeffries put it, "Who are you and how did you get to become the head of the DOJ?"
Geraldine Mitchell (London)
@Frank - It seems successfully 'passing' the 'loyalty lunch' that Comey demonstrably 'failed' (Well done him!) has most to do with who gets elected for jobs on Trump's team..
Pat (Colorado Springs)
@Frank A good question that nobody has answered.
JustaHuman (AZ)
“I do not believe that I have briefed third-party individuals outside of the Department of Justice..." Since virtually the whole country is hearing about this investigation and paying attention to the daily news around it, seems like he'd definitely remember whom he'd spoken to and about what. If Mueller were investigating him, how would it be possible to keep that from him? That seems like something that needs to be added to the long list of questions.
Desert Rat (Palm Springs)
An outstanding job interview for his next big assignment within the Trump administration. Curiously but not unexpectedly, YES and NO were in short supply as answers. That must make his boss oh so happy. I smell a tremendous future for this guy.
James (Michigan)
Wait a minute. He "believes" he hasn't briefed anyone outside of Justice? He doesn't know for sure? And he's "usually" the end of the line for info on the special counsel? "Usually" but not always? That doesn't sound like an unequivocal denial to me. “I do not believe that I have briefed third-party individuals outside of the Department of Justice,” Mr. Whitaker said. “I have received the briefings myself, and I’m usually the endpoint of that information.”
loveman0 (sf)
In the Cohen-Trump-AMI felony case (for which Mr. Cohen singularly is about to serve prison time) we have just learned that the judge in the case has refused to release sealed documents because they relate to an ongoing investigation, presumably part of the Mueller investigation, but he, the judge, also offered that release of the documents would allow subjects of the investigation to engage in "harassment, witness tampering, and retaliation" of witnesses. That is precisely what we have seen by Trump and his team all along in regard to the Russia investigation: Harassment, Witness Tampering, and Retaliation. Who knows, maybe there is a law against this, and we will see the guilty parties prosecuted, A basic law here, even for a President of the U.S., is that no one may alter the irrefutable facts of a case presented before the law for judgement or the right of material witnesses to testify truthfully. Separately but related, it appears that AMI has violated the terms of their non-prosecution agreement in their extortion/blackmail scheme against Jeff Bezos. We need to know more about Mr. Adelson's campaign contributions, and his contacts with Trump and Justice Department officials, and about how that this may relate to Mr. Adelson's influencing of online gambling decisions. On the surface it looks like obvious quid pro quo. Lawbreaking all around.
northeastsoccermum (northeast )
I missed the hearing. How many pounds do people think Whitaker sweated off?
William Case (United States)
No one thinks Matthew Whitaker is going to interfere with the Mueller investigation. That is why the House Judiciary Committee attacked Whitaker. If they had waited until the Muller investigation was complete, it would be too late for them to make a show of protecting Mueller.
David Ryan (New Jersey)
Mr. Whitaker on the record, which may or may not haunt him. One piece of his profile surfaced during the hearing, that may come into assistance after the AG leaves DOJ; he has blue collar skills.
MCV207 (San Francisco)
Whittaker looked and answered like he was wired for a shock if he said the wrong thing. His unbridled arrogance was a performance for the audience of one during executive time today. Yet another proof that Trump and cronies have absolutely no respect for the Constitution.
robert lachman (red hook ny)
The hearing was such an outrage that the least the House should do is cite Whitaker for contempt of Congress for his arrogant and disrespectful behavior towards the Judiciary Committee. On the other hand, I'm pretty sure no one expected anything else from our "Acting" Attorney General, so what we got was a lot of grandstanding from both sides and not much else.
mercedes (Seattle)
He projects the same sneering, superior attitude of, sad to say, most current Republican officeholders whose strong suit is belittling anyone who disagrees with them, threatens them, or strives to hold them accountable.
harvey perr (los angeles)
If body language were all, we would have seen Whitaker making his last public appearance. Uncomfortable, untrustworthy, incompetent, and the question as to how he got there in the first place was the most sensible question asked at the hearing.
ARH (Memphis)
Watching Whitaker's testimony was mindful of Brett Kavanaugh's Supreme Court confirmation -- two cocksure, smirking, ne'er-do-wells somehow elevated to the highest levels of American power and influence. Their ringleader, Donald J. Trump, the quintessence of ineptitude and tawdriness. Whitaker is probably high-fiving himself after his deflection pageant before the House Judiciary Committee, but there's an ill-wind blowing, all but certain to topple the entire sordid, Trump presidential facade.
Robert Richardson (Halifax)
Today’s winners? Well, that’s easy. They’re Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping and Hassan Rouhani. Every time that Trump and his submissive, unprincipled toadies diminishes the democratic institutions that make America great is a celebratory moment in Moscow, Beijing and Tehran. Make America Great Again? I doubt it, very much.
Robert Kulanda (Chicago,Illinois)
The truth about liars is that they lie. This is the case with our interim Attorney General. He has a media foot print that contradicts his testimony. Surprised?
ag (Springfield, MA)
While watching and listening to Whitaker's testimony, the word thug came to mind. What is it with these Trump appointees? He seems cut from the same cloth as the Brett Kavanaugh we saw during the Christine Ford hearings: arrogant, immature, and totally lacking in class. Thanks Mr. President-non-grata for giving us a new definition of kakistocracy: a government led by your clones.
jim emerson (Seattle)
Whitaker intentionally left yawning holes in his testimony: "I do not believe that I have briefed third-party individuals outside of the Department of Justice," He "does not believe"? Is he claiming he doesn't remember? Could he have informed someone employed by the Justice Department (perhaps a subordinate?) or someone close to or within the Trump Organization? Who would qualify as a "third party"? Whitaker behaved like a bratty weasel. Typical Trump appointee.
Bert Gold (San Mateo, California)
Mr. Whitaker said in public, at the end of a press conference about another matter, that Mueller’s investigation would wind up soon. Mr. Whitaker is lying now or was lying then. This administration is filled with liars.
TexasR (Texas)
All that drama for this? The Dems were caricatures of themselves, and Whitaker sails through. A plate full of nothing sandwiches for weekend leftovers.
Tom (State College Pennsylvania)
When again is the swamp going to be drained?
MIMA (Heartsny)
What would we expect from a Trump appointee? Put Whitaker aside. The hearing had heroes. Who? The women that serve our Congress. They called Whitaker out. They let Whitaker and the country know he was playing games. They were not intimidated by him and reminded him they were in charge, not him. If he wasn’t the least bit embarrassed after being encountered by them, he may be less intelligent than we would expect from an Attorney General - even one who will be gone in a couple days. One specific encounter stands out for me. The questioning by Pramila Jayapal. Here was a woman, true to her convictions regarding children being taken away from their parents at the border, not only calling out this large cocky man, who supposedly has great influence on our country’s justice system, but a woman who clearly stands for passion of those so unfortunate. Those so unfortunately caught in a web of uncaring, sustaining callous treatment by fellow Americans under order of an uncaring administration. And as she pointed out, Matthew Whitaker was at the head of the line causing pain and mental anguish to innocent children he and others at the top have turned their back on. “Don’t you care?” was Ms. Jayapal’s message? And clearly, Mr. Whitaker does not, because like his boss, impact on small foreign children is just not in their line of care. Kudos to Ms. Jayapal. Everyone should follow her passion.
William (Chicago)
If you are a regular kind of guy or gal, you take the interaction between Mr Whitaker and Chairman Nadler - especially when Whitaker said Nadler’s time had expired - with relief and the sense of humor with which it was intended. The two of them certainly did. It was a relief. A relief from the tension. Everyone else’s on the Committee played the role of partisan hack with aplomb.
Jenifer (Issaquah)
I would say that trump watched every second but his attention span isn't nearly long enough. I expect KellyAnn will give him a blow by blow that suggests that trump came out smelling like a rose and he'll believe her.
Doris2001 (Fairfax, VA)
Mr. Whitaker came across as expected: arrogant, ill informed, and completely untrustworthy. He should have recused himself but then he already knew he was only in the job because assurances had been made ahead of time he would not recuse. His answers underlined just how far we have fallen in two years that he had even been under consideration for any job in the federal government. It is frightening how fragile our government is at this moment and how shamefully complicit the Republican Party has been in supporting this corrupt Trump administration.
JM (San Francisco)
Whitaker consistently stated he would not divulge discussions he had with the President. But on several occasions when he could answer with a "no", Whitaker did. Does this mean that those instances when Whitaker refused to answer, the answer must have been "yes"?
paul (VA)
exactly!
P. McGee (NJ)
A reader could finish this article with the impression that Congress and the public were put at ease with the knowledge that Matthew G. Whitaker is a man of integrity who puts the rule of law above all other concerns. Maybe things are not as bleak as they seem. Except for two details, barely mentioned. First, the acting attorney general of the United States clearly chose the interests of Donald Trump above the citizens that he represents. Second, this is The Trump Administration, so it is only a matter of time before we find out how much of Whitaker's testimony was bald-faced lies.
Mary (Lake Worth FL)
@P. McGee And third Whitaker has been involved in a sleazy scam operation using his former federal qualifications to legitimize defrauding people.
That's what she said (USA)
What dimension do Trump people come from that rules of gravity don't apply. Some Trumpian Levitation where Trump's magnetic force alone suspends their ludicrous take on reality. Of Course Whitaker talked to Trump about Mueller but Whitaker figures he's covered by the Trumpian Magnetic Force
HL (Arizona)
Whitaker was hired to at best give inside information to the President and his attorneys and at worst to interfere with the investigation. Why do we need hearings on this?
Gianni (NYC)
@HL To hold Whitaker accountable if he does interfere and to protected Mueller and the Russia investigation. Strange as this might sound Mueller does have the power to interrogate and indict Whitaker if there was a good reason to.
That's what she said (USA)
Not sure "Pugnacious" is AG ingredient. Very lucky Nadler has sense of humor. Need huge sense of humor with Trump Administration
Red Sox, '04, '07, '13, ‘18, (Boston)
It simply isn’t possible for me to believe Matthew Whitaker when he says that he has not briefed the president on the details of the Robert Mueller investigation. He was appointed as acting director of the FBI for specially being on the record as being hostile to the Special Counsel’s appointment. His performance today before the House Judiciary Committee was evidence of a man who seemed determined to bring with him every arrow in his quiver with which to shoot shafts of scorn at his questioners. He knew that his boss—the president—and perhaps his future boss, William Barr—were in the massive televised audience. Mr. Whitaker didn’t testify so much as he performed; his turn on the stage seemed calculated and contrived, much like like a retriever outdoes itself in pursuit of the pheasant that its master expects. It was a show. I saw hostility and belligerence and resentment on his face all day. I heard no sincere words about the integrity of the law that must be upheld at every turn if America is to even walk in the large shadow of the nobility and rectitude that it is so eager to project to the world. Mr. Whitaker seemed to this observer to know the truth of the matters pertaining to the president and his candidacy and appeared angry that the truth must soon come uppermost—to the political detriment of No. 45.
VM (upstate ny)
Painful to watch. The phrase "contempt of Congress" came to mind.
Esteban S. (Bend, OR)
@VM and well earned.
joe (stone ridge ny)
So . . . why was Whitaker not challenged when he stated, in response to a question, "Since we have a Unitary Executive"? Did I miss the Constitutional Amendment that negated the other two branches?
GMooG (LA)
@joe That is not what a "Unitary Executive" branch means. Look it up.
Brianoh (Miami)
@joe As far as I know, the Executive Branch is one branch, and it is unitary IE. the President makes decisions for that branch.
Thomas D. Dial (Salt Lake City, UT)
@joe Nothing about "we have a unitary executive" denies the importance of either the Congress or the Supreme Court.
Jack (London)
Whittaker is less than forthright does that speak Volumes or what ?
Warren Roos (California)
Mr. Whitaker came across as an unapologetic ally to Individual one and contemptuous towards his democratic questioners. If todays testimony had been in a court of law he would have been described as a hostel witness. Will he be rewarded for taking a bullet for boss Trump or discarded as soon as possible?
Gianni (NYC)
To say Whitaker was hostile or disrespectful members of congress would be an understatement, I hope there are follow up to today hearing.
Tom (Coombs)
I had to do out for a while, when i returned it looked like the republican congress people had split. The last part i saw featured only Democratic Party reps. What went down? No one made any mention of it on air or in this NY Times article.
PE (Seattle)
Whitaker's behavior is a microcosm of the Trump regime as a whole. His hubris, ignorance, and disrespect has been prevalent in almost everyone hired by Trump. The difference now is that these characters have to face the Democrats in power. As such, prepare for more of same on display as they are forced to answer questions under oath.
Kurt (Chicago)
It was depressing to see the highest official in the Justice Department so inarticulate, so obviously guilty.
Scribbles (US)
This isn’t just theatre. This represents an important function of the House of Representatives. The theatre is hard to avoid, given the stage, and yes its clearly embraced freely by all side. However, this irascible man was in charge of the investigation against his dearly beloved hero. Surely he needs oversight, no?
Kyle (Austin)
Political Theatre is the norm and at all times, protect your own. The biggest disappointment today is how the entire process was debased in its entirety. "Mr.Chairman, I see your 5 minutes are up." My God, these dilapidated institutions are falling apart in real time.
Matthew (Nj)
No, they are being attacked.
Ann (California)
@Kyle-Indeed. If Whitaker were in front of a judge or grand jury as a witness, would he be free to contest the rules governing his testimony?
Ralphie (Seattle)
I watched the entire hearing. For the first time in over two years I felt like our government made sense and that adults were finally in charge. Republicans tried to derail the hearing by continually claiming that Democrat's questions were outside the bounds of committee oversight. What a pleasure to watch Chairman Nadler calmly rebuff the objections, follow parliamentary procedure when called for, keep the hearing on track and put Whitaker in his place when necessary. For his part, Whitaker appeared disingenuous and way in over his head. And the Democrats did a great job setting the foundation for future hearings and investigations.
OpieTaylor (Metro Atlanta)
@Ralphie Unfortunately there were several that you alluded to were adults, giving a few credit for being an adult but Georgia's own "Collins" exhibited a rant much like Trump does. (Similar to the Trey Gowdy rant/ fit toward Peter Strzok) Collins appeared to be a wee bit annoyed......
Look Ahead (WA)
America wonders, how did Matt Whitaker become acting Attorney General of the United States anyway? Was it his paid advisory board position and "enforcer" for World Patent Marketing, engaged in fraud scams? Or maybe it was his willingness to make highly prejudicial statements in a CNN Op-Ed about the Mueller investigation. Trump is done with boy scouts like Big Rex and Gen Mattis. If they don't have larceny in their heart like Wilbur Ross or aren't willing to say almost anything to cover for the boss, like Kellyanne Conway, they just aren't Trump Team material.
Ann (California)
@Look Ahead-Whitaker is a partisan hack who ran a shady conservative “watchdog” group called FACT, or Foundation for Accountability and Civic Trust. His job was to gather dirt on Hillary Clinton, Merrick Garland and other G.O.P. enemies. And then there's the whole World Patent Marketing scam. https://www.miaminewtimes.com/news/trumps-acting-attorney-general-matthew-whitaker-was-part-of-world-patent-marketing-a-miami-based-invention-scam-company-10893091
Tom Becker (Santa Barbara)
Whitaker held his own. Even the democrats on the committee admit that there is no evidence that Whitaker attempted to interfere in the Mueller Investigation. Even after that admission, Nadler attempted to discredit Whitaker, with Whitaker putting Nadler in his place with humor.
Gianni (NYC)
@Tom Becker Do you realize this is just the beginning and Congress will continue to investigate this situation? Considering the endless laments from trump in regard of the russia investigation, any logical person would rightfully assume, Whitaker and trump have spoken about the investigation.
tony barone (parsippany nj)
did we see the same hearing?
Doris2001 (Fairfax, VA)
@Tom Becker What Democrats on the committee are you talking about? No Democrat said there was no evidence. You clearly watched a different hearing than the rest of us. What we saw was an acting AG woefully unprepared and unbelievably rude.
Ben Brice (New York)
Matthew Whitiker has positioned himself as a bellwether for the emerging new Democratic majority House of Representatives. All potential further witnesses, whether as potential subjects of interest themselves, merely disinterested providers of information, team players on whatever side are in close watch. Many will strategize based on whatever eventual circumstances follow as a result of his final posture. If he gets away with blowing them off, the Dems will look weak and their investigative initiative will suffer a serious setback and appear purely political in nature. If they can overpower such an initial strategy, all will be forewarned not to mess with the law. The American people await the results of a dramatic historic moment in time.
njglea (Seattle)
Congratulations to democratic members of OUR U.S. House Judiciary Committee for their excellent quesioning to get to the bottom of things. Whitaker tried to run down the clock and avoid answering important questions and was immediately told to stop by most questioners. He was clearly out of his depth. He was simply installed as "acting attorney general" to act as The Con Don's spy. He's as "crooked as a dog's hind leg" to quote my mother. The sham is over but the danger isn't. The Con Don, Minister Pence and Traitor McConnell must be removed from office immediately to stop their programmed attempts to destroy OUR United States of America and the world. People in power in OUR political, legal, military and secret sevice complexes must do it RIGHT NOW - before he can push the nuclear button just to prove it's "his right". It is not. WE THE PEOPLE must not allow it or any further destruction of OUR lives and/or ties to trusted allies.
Matthew (Nj)
I agree with you, but I presume you are suggesting removal of the folks you mention would be through constitutional means and not some counter-coup insurrection, correct? We need to re-establish law and order and not entertain notions of chaotic overthrows (of even an illegitimate administration). I would suggest, before we get to that point, that the people should rise up peacefully and surround Washington DC in massive numbers for days, weeks, months - whatever it takes - staring the usurping administration and their co-conspirators down eye-to-eye until they relent to the will of the people of the United States of America and restore order and governance in good faith. Now is the time.
njglea (Seattle)
Matthew, these are unprecedented times and they call for unprecedented action to save our country. I am saying that OUR four Past Presidents, top military, top legal experts and top secret service/justice department officials set a NEWS precedent and collectively take immediate action to remove them. This group could then manage OUR government - together - while President Nancy Peolosi gets things back in order. While they are being held for prosecution OUR Socially Conscious hired/elected lawmakers can pass laws that will prevent anything like this happening again. They were not "elected". They were installed by the 0.01% who want to destroy OUR lives. I'm very concerned that The Con Don would start a nuclear war just to try to hang in there. It must not stand. Not now. Not ever.
Matthew (Nj)
I agree, so what, exactly, are you suggesting? Are you brave enough to lay it all out for patriots to hear?
ChristineMcM (Massachusetts)
I watched most of the hearing. Felt weird, but pleasantly so, watching Democrats in charge after their many years in the wilderness. The new reps had done their homework, and many focused on their own issues and needs of constituents, versus simply a grilling over the Mueller investigation. But not for a second do I believe Whittaker was silent when the president asked for information. To accept that defies everything we know about Donald Trump and his obsession with Mueller and upending judicial norms. I also didn't like the way he seemed to be auditioning for another position in the administration--although if he's smart, he'd avoid that like the plague.
L'historien (Northern california)
@ChristineMcM. One can only hope the Mueller kept his cards very close in when Whitaker came knocking.